Ocean current variability and the spawning season of Hawaiian reef fishes |
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Authors: | Phillip S Lobel |
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Institution: | (1) Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, MA, 02543, U.S.A. |
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Abstract: | Synopsis The spawning patterns of four Hawaiian reef fishes with similar reproductive habits, but different biogeographic distributions
were studied from September 1980 to October 1981. Two species are Hawaiian endemics Centropyge potteri (Pomacanthidae) and Chaetodon multicinctus (Chaetodontidae)] and the other two have pan-tropical Pacific distributions Ctenochaetus strigosus and Zebrasoma flavescens (Acanthuridae)]. All showed increased spawning activity from January to July, the prevalent pattern among a majority of coastal
marine fishes in Hawaii. Environmental correlatives to the period of peak reproduction include cycles of (a) daylight length
and temperature which probably function as proximate cues and (b) seasonal variations in ocean current patterns which may
ultimately affect survival of larvae and dispersal. Peak reproduction takes place during months when (1) mesoscale eddies
most likely occur, and (2) the probability is greatest of drifting objects remaining near the islands. |
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Keywords: | Fish spawning Larval recruitment Ocean eddies Endemic species |
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